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Monday, November 14, 2011

Napkins

Years ago when I was lots younger, with young kids, and not a lot of cash, I still wanted to give everyone Christmas gifts. I decided to make napkins! I used the most lovely calico fabrics, enclosing each square with a mitered corner frame. As ugly as we'd all think they are now, I worked very hard on making them perfect, and I used mine untill they died. I think my Mom is the only one maybe still hanging on to a couple. (Love you mom!)

A few weeks ago I went to the Jacksonville quilt show. I had a great time wandering through seeing some amazing quilts, trying out long arms (oh how I miss you Millenium) and looking through shops. Jacksonville very few fabric shops for such a large city, so it was fun to see such variety in one place.

At one shop I spotted this piece of Farmers Market by Sandi Henderson and not far from that I saw a fabric I'd not seen before. I found out it's by Hoodie, whom I've also never heard of, though she has been designing fabric for years. This line is called Vegie Patch. The eggplant fabric was all I could find at the show. There on the spot I decided to revisit my napkin making. We go through a lot of napkins but I also do a lot of laundry so why not combine the two.... After looking at the line, the eggplant is my favorite, but I want to get the others to make more napkins, four is not enough.

They finished out at about 22 inches. I love the mitered corners. I made these by just wrapping the fabric from the back and framing my focus fabric. The solid green is Kona Grass. Is there anything you made years ago that you've decided to make again? I wonder if in twenty more years I'll think this fabric was a "lovely" choice?

Oh, Corinnea, I loved my napkins! Yes, using past tense. But it has only been a couple of years that I had to say goodbye to them. *sad face*. They got so thread bare that they were translucent. I used them everyday with my cup of coffee and my meals. You are bringing back my memories of a sweet, very young woman that did so much creating out of air. I always loved seeing what you where going to create for us. Remember the net hearts? I know someone who would love to have some napkins again. Oh, and they were NOT ugly! No way! You don't make ugly,never have, never will......

Very cute! I was thinking about cloth napkins just the other day! I was thinking it would be nice to have an occasion to use them... I just pulled embroidery back out of my bag o' tricks. I haven't done much embroidery since I was a little kid. Oh, and guess what else I started - hexies!! Haven's in a play, so I needed portable handwork!

These are gorgeous - Love the eggplant ones - although being British I should say 'aubergine' one. The green border really sets it off. I've often thought about making napkins but I'd be too worried they get stained and messy - which I know is kinda the point. I am just the sort of person that puts a coaster on a nice mug rug so it doesn't get marked...

I know what you mean about wondering about your fabric choices in 20 years!! When I visit my step mom and see all the stuff I made her 20-25 years ago I cringe. She still uses the stuff though-bless her heart:) I really love using cloth napkins. Jon introduced me to using dishtowels instead of paper towels or paper napkins for meals when we met and that's all I use now. When I go to other peoples houses that use paper, I want to ask for a dish towel! I love your napkins!!! And I like your fabric choices:0

Yep, I agree too! Love these, of course I loved the ones you made before too, have I ever mentioned I love cloth napkins??? What would I make again from 20 years ago, my kids, best things I ever created, and then remember your refrigerator garden, something like that. Keep creating!